WCR This Week

Canes and crutches are left behind at the Lac Ste. Anne pilgrimage site, evidence of healing miracles experienced at the sacred shore. Impressive stories of people being healed of diseases such as leprosy, entering the water lame and coming out walking, and other healings of various sorts are not hard to come by at the pilgrimage, which is likely the largest annual Church event in Western Canada, drawing tens of thousands of people, mainly Aboriginal.

Brandi Linkewich says spending a good chunk of her summers at Camp Encounter over the years changed her life. She appreciates the camp's "loving environment" and the fact she can feel God's love in there. "You feel totally accepted here," the 17-year-old Edmonton youth said. "Coming here is probably one of my favourite things to do in the summer."

SANTA CRUZ, BOLIVIA – The world needs "an economy of Christian inspiration," one which respects human dignity and guarantees the rights to land, housing and work, Pope Francis told an international gathering of grassroots activists. Such an economy would also provide access to education, health care, culture, communications and recreation, he said.

St. Kateri's virtue of forgiveness was celebrated at the second annual St. Kateri Gathering July 11 at Maskwacis (formerly Hobbema). "Some of our people have great animosity toward the Church," said Ermineskin elder Alec Piche. "At some point in life we have to forgive. We can't dwell on the past forever and ever, and I think her example – she forgave people that shortchanged her, – this is what we have to do as native people. We have to forgive and then the hurt will leave gradually."

It's just before noon on a sunny Saturday on Fourth Street in Berkeley, Calif., a busy boulevard of upscale cafes, shops and businesses. The gleaming Apple store is doing a bang-up business in the next newest thing; a steady stream of customers await tables at Bette's Oceanview Diner, where weekend breakfast is a daylong opportunity.

Angela Kirby believes in living life to its fullest and won't let the challenges of multiple sclerosis get in her way. Diagnosed with MS at the age of 50, she never felt deterred from hiking up mountains and travelling the world. So to mark her 70th birthday and the 20th anniversary of her diagnosis, Kirby has decided to spend the year on a tour around the world to raise money and awareness for MS research.

Glen Argan, a veteran journalist known for both his personal and professional commitment to the Gospel, is being honoured as this year's recipient of the Kevin Carr Christian Leadership Award. Glen has served for more than 28 years as editor of the Western Catholic Reporter, the biweekly newspaper published by the Archdiocese of Edmonton. Under his leadership, the WCR has become one of the most respected Catholic newspapers in North America, winning multiple honours for editorial writing, news reporting, layout and design, and general excellence.

Divine mercy is more than just a prayer for the Polish religious congregation Sisters of Merciful Jesus. It's more than an image, a novena, an hour or a feast day. Divine mercy is their charism – their special gift, and it is their spirituality – their way of living the Gospel.

LONDON - Catholic bishops in England and Wales hope to establish evangelization teams to transform about 5,000 churches into "missionary parishes." However, there will be no place for proselytizing, "door-stepping" or "cold calling" in an attempt to win converts, said Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster, president of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.

In the 10 years since same-sex marriage became legal in Canada, observers have seen a steady erosion of religious freedom and conscience rights. They also warn about negative impacts on education, particularly sex education, parental rights and the effect of marriage redefinition on the rights of children.